Kukla's Korner Hockey

“I’m very optimistic about this year,” team owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said.

In an interview this week, Karmanos talked about this year’s team and its chances in the NHL’s new Metropolitan Division. He talked of the financial resources being used to make it competitive, saying, “We’re not a budget team. We’re a cap team.”

That is, a team willing to spend close to the NHL’s salary cap....

“If I were to sell the team, I’m sure whoever bought it would keep it there,” he said. “The league is resolute in not moving franchises, not after what they went through in Phoenix. Besides, Raleigh is too good a market and it’s growing like crazy.

“But the team is not for sale. As long as I’m breathing I will run the team and try to win another Stanley Cup.”